Prospero

Not at all, but I am blaming the national media for creating mass-hysteria earlier in the week and I was reminding any readers here that what is "entertainment" for major media comes with a huge cost for businesses and families. Local media has done a great job balancing how to warn residents and encourage making preparations while not creating wide-spread panic. As for the NHC, science is the base, but then there has to be judgement calls on how to attempt to produce an accurate forecast and minimize undue hardship on everybody emotionally and financially. I am sure phone calls are being made by businesses to their Chamber of Commerce, and from Chambers to their representatives all the way to the Governor. Some of those concerns would certainly make it to the NHC where some decisions may be influenced, within reason of course.

Silly you!

Thank you, I forgot about Disney only thinking of beach vacation cancellations. For a couple days Orlando was a "Cat 2 or 3" dot on many maps for this weekend. It did look like it when it was too far away to make an accurate prediction, but today was beautiful state-wide and numbers were horrible for tourism. Disney? As we who live in Florida know, "The Mouse" has amazing influence on politicians and if you piss off the Mouse there is a price to pay. For the NHC? Sure you can fudge a call now and then if funding is at risk, or when favors are being tossed around. Who does it hurt? The Bahamas are screwed no matter what right now, why hurt Florida any more than it needs tonight. Right? True we are not out the risk yet, at all, but we do not need greedy media hype piled on top of what may or may not happen. Truth would be welcome any time.

Does anybody have any idea how many millions of dollars have been refunded for this very important weekend in Florida? Could it be in the billions? Even on the west coast in Clearwater Beach we've handed out refunds when our policies were spelled out that ONLY when a mandatory evacuation is in place do we refund. But with panicking guests who are terrified to come to Florida with all the media hype are begging us, we go above and beyond our policy and give them their money back. Sadly we are looking at a totally gorgeous weekend, but so many have stayed home wherever they are. Statewide, I cannot imagine the financial impact this media fiasco has cost us all. It is a disaster even if Dorian never touches our state. Huge disaster. Do I believe Governor DeSantis, who has been upfront on urging residents to be prepared, would have an enormous amount of pressure on him to do what he can to ease public fear on Florida tourism? Would Trump be under pressure? We are talking a TON of money on a weekend when tourism is critical for a lot of businesses to survive until Thanksgiving week. Can you imagine the publicity a Cat 5 hurricane would have when the media is drooling for some kind of major story right now? When Dorian was a "direct hit" on Florida, they were raking in the dough with advertisers and ratings. But with it going out to sea, they are losing viewers quickly. "Historic Cat 5!" BINGO they have it back and Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina pay the price even if a rain drop or steady breeze never touches any of us. Someone said it was a "ridiculous" idea to think that the NHC would not go with Cat 5 right now even if it was. How ignorant they must be. To underestimate the power of politics and industry is as dangerous as under estimating the power of a hurricane. No offense to anyone, please, but know the world we live and understand how it works.